You Become What You Behold | Brett Rayner

What Are You Looking At?

The Importance of Focus

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of what we choose to focus our eyes on, stating that this is a critical battle for the current generation.

• It is highlighted that individuals have control over where their eyes and hearts direct their attention.

Reflection of God's Glory

• The speaker reads from 2 Corinthians 3:18, discussing how believers reflect the Lord's glory and are transformed into His likeness with increasing glory.

• A key question posed is about personal identity: "Who am I?" This existential inquiry drives behavior in society today.

Identity as Mirrors

• The speaker asserts that everyone is like a mirror, created to reflect God's glory. This metaphor illustrates how one's focus determines what they reflect.

• Drawing parallels with Moses' experience on Mount Sinai, it’s noted that being in God’s presence results in radiance and transformation.

Biblical References to Radiance

• Psalms 34:5 is cited, emphasizing that those who look to God will be radiant and unashamed.

• In 1 John 3:2, it states that when Christ appears, believers will be like Him because they will see Him as He truly is.

Transformation Through Beholding

• The concept of becoming what one beholds is introduced; focusing on Jesus leads to reflecting His image and being transformed into His likeness.

• The speaker encourages listeners by affirming their identity as mirrors designed to behold God and reflect His image daily.

Understanding Idolatry and Its Impact

The Concept of Idols in Psalm 115

• The speaker references Psalm 115:8, which states, "Those who make them will be like them, and so will all those who trust in them," emphasizing the transformative nature of idols.

• The idea is introduced that individuals act as mirrors; they become transformed into the image of the idols they create or worship.

The Pursuit of Coolness as an Idol

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about valuing being cool during adolescence, highlighting its significance over basic needs like food.

• Being part of a 'cool group' at school is identified as creating an idol out of peer acceptance and social status.

• Worshipping this idol leads to behavioral changes where individuals start mimicking their peers to gain acceptance.

Transformation Through Worship

• Individuals begin to adopt the behaviors and appearances of those they idolize, such as fashion choices and social interactions.

• Engaging with certain lifestyles (e.g., drinking or partying) becomes a means to fit in with the idolized group, further reinforcing their transformation.

Social Media Influence

• Spending excessive time on social media platforms exposes individuals to influencers who can become modern-day idols.

• This constant exposure results in adopting not just external traits but also internal beliefs aligned with those influencers.

Personal Anecdote from Paris

• A story is shared about a trip to Paris where the speaker contrasts his jetlagged appearance with that of a well-dressed woman seeking attention from her indifferent companion.

• This scenario illustrates how societal pressures and appearances can influence self-perception and behavior.

The Illusion of Social Media and Its Impact on Identity

Observations in Social Settings

• The speaker reflects on the loneliness felt while enjoying croissants, observing various social dynamics in a restaurant setting.

• They identify different types of interactions, such as friends catching up or couples having lunch, highlighting their ability to sense emotional undercurrents.

• A specific scenario is described where a woman dressed up for a date receives coffee but experiences disinterest from her companion.

The Deception of Social Media

• The speaker critiques social media, emphasizing that it presents an unrealistic portrayal of life; many people may envy the seemingly perfect lives depicted online.

• They argue that these images are misleading and often represent moments of loneliness rather than happiness, exemplified by the woman who didn't even drink her coffee.

Idolatry and Its Consequences

• The discussion shifts to how idolizing certain images can lead individuals to reflect insecurities and loneliness themselves.

• Young girls looking at idealized pictures may become more insecure and lonely because they are mirroring what they idolize.

Influence of Video Games and Media

• Playing violent video games is presented as another form of idolatry that transforms players into what they behold, leading to negative emotions like anger.

• The speaker emphasizes that repeated exposure to violence through gaming can result in real-life aggression and societal issues like school shootings.

Personal Responsibility in Consumption

• Individuals are reminded that they have control over what they choose to focus on; it's crucial to decide whether to behold worldly idols or seek spiritual fulfillment through Jesus.

• A warning against consuming horror movies is given, suggesting that such content fosters anxiety and fear due to its nature.

Anxiety from Negative News Consumption

• Adults reading excessive bad news are cautioned about creating an idol out of negativity, which leads to increased anxiety levels.

• Overall, the message stresses that consuming violent or distressing media results in trauma and fearfulness; conversely, focusing on positive influences can lead to healthier mental states.

Transformation Through Reflection

The Concept of Being a Mirror

• The speaker introduces the idea that individuals are like mirrors, reflecting what they behold. By focusing on Jesus, one can be transformed to reflect His nature.

• Emphasizes that humans were created in the image of God and must look at Him to be transformed into His likeness.

Challenges in Believing Transformation

• Questions why it is difficult for people to believe they can look like Jesus, contrasting this with the ease of believing negative influences from violent video games or social media.

• Identifies "shame" as a significant barrier to believing in transformation through Christ.

Understanding Shame and Its Origins

• Discusses how shame entered the world with sin, causing Adam and Eve to hide from God after their disobedience.

• Highlights that there was no shame in the Garden of Eden; humanity was created for unity with God and each other before sin disrupted this harmony.

God's Response to Sin and Shame

• Clarifies misconceptions about sin leading God away from us; instead, He seeks us out when we sin.

• Reinforces that God's pursuit is motivated by love, aiming to remove both our sin and shame so we can live in communion with Him.

The Weight of Shame in Society

• Describes how everyone struggles with shame, which stems from personal failures or societal judgments.

• Explains that shame manifests when one's darkest moments are exposed or known publicly, creating a desire to escape its weight.

Consequences of Living Under Shame

• Lists various scenarios where individuals feel shame—sinning, hurting others, addiction—and how these experiences lead them away from God.

• Warns that living under shame prevents individuals from looking at God and being transformed into His image.

Coping Mechanisms for Shame

• Discusses common responses to shame such as hiding or isolating oneself. This behavior disconnects individuals from community support during times of struggle.

Understanding Shame and Deception in Spiritual Life

The Nature of Shame

• The speaker discusses how attempts to hide shame, like Adam and Eve did, are ineffective. Hiding shame only adds to it.

• Many individuals resort to deception as a means of escaping their shame, particularly within the church community where they may live sinful lives while pretending to be holy.

• The importance of confession is highlighted; bringing sins into the light allows Jesus to remove shame. Concealing sin leads to internal suffering.

Living with Deception

• A life built on deception may protect one's image but ultimately cripples the individual internally due to unresolved shame.

• Distortion of truth occurs when individuals lie about their sins or convince themselves that their actions are not sinful, leading them away from genuine repentance.

The Influence of Modern Theology

• There is a tendency for people to seek out theological perspectives that align with their desires rather than confronting uncomfortable truths.

• This behavior is described as creating an idol—shaping beliefs around personal desires instead of adhering strictly to biblical teachings.

Misconceptions About Identity and Desires

• A prevalent lie suggests that one's desires define identity; feeling shame about these desires is often attributed to external judgment from the church or Christians.

• The speaker argues that denying one’s desires equates to ignoring one’s true self, which can lead individuals away from spiritual truth.

Communicating Gracefully About Sin

• Leaders must communicate about sin without adding shame; accusations can harm rather than heal those struggling with guilt.

• An example from John 8 illustrates Jesus’ approach: He focuses on compassion rather than condemnation when addressing sin, emphasizing transformation over accusation.

Understanding Shame and Transformation

The Nature of Sin and Shame

• The speaker emphasizes that everyone has sin, stating, "There is no one in this room who has sin worse than me," highlighting the universality of sin.

• Jesus' message is referenced: "Who of you is without sin? You can cast the first stone," illustrating that all are equal in their imperfections.

• The speaker warns against pointing fingers at others as a way to escape personal shame, urging self-reflection instead.

Lies About Identity and Desires

• A prevalent lie from society suggests that one's desires define their identity, including acceptance of behaviors like pornography use or same-sex attraction.

• The speaker critiques societal acceptance of these identities, arguing it leads to further shame rather than liberation.

• While community support is valuable, true freedom from shame can only be found through Jesus Christ.

Setting Hearts on Higher Things

• Colossians 3 encourages believers to set their hearts on things above, contrasting with worldly messages about identity and desires.

• The speaker discusses how external pressures (like beauty standards from social media) lead individuals to seek transformation in unhealthy ways.

True Transformation Through God

• The notion that transformation regarding gender or body image can occur through medical means is challenged; true change comes only from God.

• Young people are cautioned against societal pressures regarding gender identity decisions which were not present in previous generations.

Embracing the Right Transformation

• Individuals should not let feelings of inadequacy push them away from faith but rather draw them closer to God for true transformation.

• The longing for change should direct individuals towards Jesus as the ultimate source of transformation and fulfillment.

• By focusing on Jesus daily, individuals will reflect His glory and experience genuine change over time.

This structured summary captures key insights while providing timestamps for easy reference back to specific parts of the transcript.

Beholding Jesus: Understanding His Love and Overcoming Shame

The Power of Prayer and Identity in Christ

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer, particularly referencing Ephesians 3, where Paul expresses a deep love from God.

• The identity of believers is rooted in their relationship with God; they derive their name from Him as sons and daughters.

• Believers are encouraged to be "rooted and established in love" to fully grasp the vastness of Christ's love, which surpasses knowledge.

• The necessity of encountering the Holy Spirit is highlighted for gaining revelation about Jesus' love.

Overcoming Shame Through Jesus

• A discussion on shame arises, referencing John 8 where Jesus forgives a woman caught in sin, illustrating His grace.

• Jesus asks the woman about her accusers, demonstrating that He does not condemn her but instead offers forgiveness and a new beginning.

• The speaker reflects on how Jesus intentionally took on shame throughout His life to identify with humanity's struggles.

The Depth of Christ’s Sacrifice

• Jesus’ humble beginnings are noted; He was born into shameful circumstances yet chose this path to relate to human suffering.

• Throughout His ministry, Jesus faced rejection from family and community, embodying isolation and poverty for our sake.

• At His crucifixion, despite being mocked by those who should have recognized Him as King, He remained silent out of love for humanity.

Transformative Love

• The speaker reiterates that Christ’s sacrifice was motivated by an immense love meant to free individuals from shame.

• By taking upon Himself all mockery and insults directed at humanity, Jesus declares that believers no longer need to suffer under shame; it has been dealt with on the cross.

A Call to Behold Jesus

• The final challenge posed is whether individuals will choose to behold Jesus or settle for lesser idols.

• The speaker passionately encourages listeners to make a decision about whom they want to reflect in their lives—inviting them towards transformation through beholding Christ.

Beholding Jesus: A Personal Reflection

The Desire to Behold God

• The speaker expresses a profound sense of liberation from shame, emphasizing a desire to behold God without concern for worldly opinions or the need for confession.

• There is an urgent call to engage with God directly, highlighting that the response from Jesus should not be delayed until prompted by others.

• The speaker challenges the audience to reflect on their own desires, questioning whether they wish to emulate societal standards or truly seek a connection with Jesus.

• Emphasis is placed on personal agency; individuals must decide who they want to behold and cannot rely on external influences like youth pastors or groups.

• The speaker reiterates the importance of making a conscious choice about one's spiritual focus, urging listeners not just to applaud but to introspectively answer if they want to behold Jesus.